When choosing a cat food, one question commonly asked by cat owners is, “Which is better for my cat: canned or dry food?”
While some cat owners are adamant that only canned food is best for their feline friends, others swear by dry food. Still other cat owners feed a mix of canned and dry food. The truth is, there’s no wrong answer — as long as you choose cat food that’s complete and balanced and your cat is healthy and at an appropriate weight. What is important is that you offer a high-quality, highly digestible food that meets your cat’s nutritional needs and that your cat is willing to eat. It really comes down to your cat’s preferences.
The pros and cons
Veterinarians and pet nutritionists often debate this issue as well. While they haven’t reached an agreement, they do agree on some of the advantages and disadvantages of dry and canned cat foods.
The greatest benefit associated with feeding a canned cat food comes from the most obvious difference between canned and dry formulas — the water content. Feeding canned food helps increase your cat’s water intake, which is especially beneficial for cats with urinary tract problems, kidney disease and diabetes. Cats with poor appetites as a result of health issues also may find canned food more palatable. The higher moisture level combined with high protein and low carbohydrate content means canned food more closely mimics a cat’s natural diet.
Convenience and cost are the primary advantages of dry formulas. Kibble can be left out for your cat to nibble on during the day or overnight without spoiling. This feeding approach works well for single-cat homes and cats that don’t have weight issues, but it may be a problem in multiple-cat households. When it comes to your budget and the price of cat foods, many veterinarians and pet nutritionists would rather you feed a high-quality dry food than a lower-quality canned cat food.
Check out the table below for a more specific comparison.
Why choose when you can feed both?
When it comes to your cat’s food, you naturally want to do what’s best for your kitty. But you — like many owners — also have to consider your budget. That’s where Diamond Naturals cat food can help. With the addition of canned formulas that complement Diamond Naturals dry food, you can give your cat the best of both canned and dry foods without busting your budget.
So what do you feed your cat: canned, dry or both? Head over to our Facebook page to let us know!
